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Glial cell‐derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) contributes to the growth of the mouse carotid body (CB).
Author(s) -
Balbir Alexander,
Yamaguchi Shigeki,
Okumura Mariko,
Shirahata Machiko
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.20.4.a785-a
Subject(s) - glial cell line derived neurotrophic factor , gdnf family of ligands , ciliary neurotrophic factor , neurotrophic factors , growth factor , chemistry , neuroscience , medicine , biology , receptor
The CB, a major hypoxic chemosensor, induces reflex responses in many vital organs. These responses among individuals are variable, and genetic differences appear to be an underlying mechanism. Previously, we have shown that the carotid body size and glomus cell quantity are significantly larger in DBA/2J than those in A/J strains of mice. Small CBs were found in some patients with sudden infant death syndrome or with congenital central hypoventilation syndrome (CCHS) who lack hypoxic ventilatory response. Genetic studies suggest that GDNF‐regulated pathways are affected in some patients with CCHS. Therefore, we hypothesized that GDNF contributes to the growth of the mouse CB. First, we examined in developing mice (1‐day to 4‐week‐old mice): (1) GDNF mRNA expression with RT‐PCR; (2) proliferation of glomus cells with Ki67 immunohistochemistry; and (3) glomus cell quantity with immunohistochemistry for tyrosine hydroxylase and morphometry. All these parameters were significantly higher in DBA/2J mice than A/J mice. Secondly, we compared GDNF mRNA expression and glomus cell quantity in parental strains (DBA/2J and A/J) and F1 (>8‐week of age). These parameters were significantly higher in DBA/2J than A/J mice. In F1, both parameters were intermediate of the two strains. These results supported our hypothesis. Supported by HL 72293.